Notts County vs Grimsby - EFL Trophy

The EFL Trophy returns to the home ground on September 22, 2026, where Notts County and Grimsby will lock horns in a contest that could shape their respective campaigns. Catch up with all the action from Chelsea's pre-season clash with AC Milan.

Form and standings can only tell part of the story when Notts County and Grimsby cross paths in the EFL Trophy, and pride alone should guarantee a contest. The hosts will hope that the the home ground crowd can inspire a performance, whatever the numbers suggest. The visitors will back themselves to cause problems and will not make the trip expecting an easy afternoon. Teams are more likely to allow a defender to bring the ball up the pitch than a winger playing in a far more advanced position.

How the two sides approach the contest strategically will be key. Notts County will want to control proceedings in front of their own supporters, while Grimsby will back themselves to cause problems on the break. Man Utd are pushing higher and working harder to press and counter-press the opposition, especially to win the ball back quickly after a loss of possession.

Star players on both sides will be eager to make their mark, and the individual duels across the pitch could go a long way to deciding the outcome. Whoever wins the individual duel between the two sides' chief playmakers is likely to dictate the rhythm and, ultimately, the destination of the points. He describes himself as a box-to-box midfielder but is equally capable of operating on the wings or in an advanced No 10 role.

The fixture has the feel of a coin-flip, and picking a winner with any conviction would require a braver pundit than most. The signals point towards a stalemate, with the two sides closely matched across form and standings. A 1-1 draw is easy to envisage. With positions in the EFL Trophy table to defend and momentum to chase, neither side can afford to leave anything in the tank. Manchester City will begin another Premier League season with major uncertainty hanging over the club after league chief executive Richard Masters admitted the long-awaited verdict on their financial case has taken longer than expected.